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Fig tree suckers, what to do with them?

I rooted some fig tree cuttings late last fall and put a few into the ground early this spring.  The fig cuttings grew quite quickly and are about 5 feet tall now (quite amazing seeing them progress from the 8" cuttings).  They have quite a few suckers growing out of them and I am not sure what to do with them?  I am quite new to growing fig trees and gardening in general but it's becoming a really enjoyable hobby for me.  Is there any harm to keeping the suckers, or should I have them removed?  

Your could always root them and give them out to members on the forum wink wink nudge nudge

But it really just depends on what plant type your want, keeping them on would create more of a bush shape and pruning them would create more of a tree

hi kevint8,
The question is: do you have space for more trees, and are you willing to have duplicates from your trees ?
If the answer is yes : keep the suckers and remove them in September.
If the answer is no: remove them now as they are fed by the roots and they are taking their shares out of what the main trunk could get. So the main trunk is slowed by those stems.
The choice is yours !

I probably would want to grow it as a bush since my backyard is small.  So keeping the suckers there will not harm the tree?

If anyone want the remaining fig cuttings that are still growing in 1-gal pots, I don't mind giving them out to anyone nearby (I am in SoCal).  I don't know what kind of fig variety it is, only thing I know is the fruit is green/yellowish and inside is pinkish.  Taste sweet like honey with a hint of floral fragrance.  I checked the tree this morning and noticed a small fig forming so perhaps someone could help identify it once it ripens.  I am surprise to find it there because it hasn't been a year since this tree was grown from a cutting.  Here's a pics of the small fruit forming:

IMAG0038[1].jpg

jdsfrance - Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will be removing them now if they are going to hinder the growth of the main trunk.  Do I just cut them off, or is there a better way of doing it without hurting the main trunk?


sounds like an atreano to me would you mind posting some leaf pics?

very nice of you to offer, is it normal for the root suckers to have figlets?  


Quote:
Originally Posted by kevint8
I probably would want to grow it as a bush since my backyard is small.  So keeping the suckers there will not harm the tree?

If anyone want the remaining fig cuttings that are still growing in 1-gal pots, I don't mind giving them out to anyone nearby (I am in SoCal).  I don't know what kind of fig variety it is, only thing I know is the fruit is green/yellowish and inside is pinkish.  Taste sweet like honey with a hint of floral fragrance.  I checked the tree this morning and noticed a small fig forming so perhaps someone could help identify it once it ripens.  I am surprise to find it there because it hasn't been a year since this tree was grown from a cutting.  Here's a pics of the small fruit forming:

IMAG0038[1].jpg 

Figglet, here are a few pics of the leaves.  They look different but are from the same tree.

IMAG0048[1].jpg 

IMAG0058[1].jpg 

figlayla - I am not sure if it's normal for suckers to have figlets but the above pics of the figlet is growing on a sucker.  Although the sucker is growing slightly above ground and not buried like the others.


Thanks for the pics looks like you got yourself a keeper I'd love too have one but I'm not exactly local and dont know much about California's shipping laws

Hello,
I would keep the suckers if you want to make a bush, you can always train the suckers as fan shaped against a wall or a fence.

Vinny 

I grow all of my figs as bushes. Usually in the winter I prune mine back to 5-7 trunks. But I live in zone 7a and I do this because of the winter cold. Some of your choice will have to do with climate. Many growers in colder climates (7 or below) grow figs as bushes. 

I am by no means an expert, as this is my first year with figs too.... 

However, the second leaf pic you have (one without the quarter) looks like my leaves, which I believe to be Chicago Hardy. 

The stem and figlets look identical to mine as well.  

If someone more knowledgeable can identify, please let us know as I'm curious as well. 

IMG_5293.JPG 


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